Fiesta electical problem

[billyb]

Not a very "Pistonheads" question but I can't think who else to ask (!)

I tried to start my Fiesta runabout (yr 2000 1.25 Zetec) on the weekend and the engine started to turnover then suddenly at the warning lights flashed on and the needles on every dial shot to the right (including speedo, temp gauge etc). Also, the radio then needed the security code entering as if the battery had been disconnected (which it hadn't).

When I try to start the car now the engine doesn't turn over and the starter motor sounds like a machine gun.

I guess it could be a series of problems (electrical and now starter motor) but does this sound like a specific problem anyone has come across before?

[Focus2.0Zetec]

This may not be a lot of use to you but i think the gauges all flashing over is some kind of electrical warning function. My dads 1996 Mondeo did a similar thing, turned out to be a dodgy fuel pump. Once the pump was sorted all was well again.

[Zad]

The starter motor "fault" sounds like a flat battery. What happens is that when you activate the solenoid, it pulls in the motor switch contacts which of course puts a load on the battery. If the battery is nearly flat it's voltage drops very quickly and the solenoid drops out, so the voltage rises, and so the cycle goes...
Dakka Dakka Dakka Dakka Dakka ....

A low battery would also cause the engine management to panic and flash it's dials at you.

[billyb]

Zad - You had it spot on. I changed the battery and all was well. The battery was 6 yrs old so I hope died of old age rather than being drainned by en electrical problem. I will see how I go with the new battery.

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Lois]

There is a way to check all the faults that have occured. I havent done it since I got the car so cant remember exactly how it was done. Something like turning the key one click and pressing the trip counter at the same time. It sends your speedo right up and then displays all the codes if there's any problems. How I found out mine had a flat battery at one point. It might pick up if there were any aditional complications.

[nighthawk]

Lois

Do you have the digital mileage display on your car?

If so, pressing and holding the trip reset and turning on the ignition to position II will put the instrument cluster into diagnostic mode.

After it's entered the diag mode the display will show a different string of information e.g "gage" "leds" "88888" you'll eventually get to "DTC" and it'll flash out a number or say NONE.

If you carry on pressing it you can read of battery voltage, rpm and approx miles left on the current fuel load.

[Lois]

Thats the one yes.
Cant remember who it was who did it but I told them an error code that was displayed which meant it had had a flat battery.